Torrealba versus Iannetta - Page 3

sg8335aa · July 30th, 2007, 09:42 PM

And I agree....and giving Torrealba a reasonable 2 year contract is hardly "giving up" on Iannetta. Torrealba might become a pricy backup....but he'd hardly be overpaid. I think of it more as "hedging your bet". While you're committed to Iannetta being the future of the franchise.....its also bad business to push all your chips in his corner without a backup plan and say "you're our guy" without any proven track-record at the MLB level. Especially with the reports from scouts that differ on just how good Iannetta would be offensively in the majors with the questions about his slow bat speed.

You HAVE to have a Plan B. Hell, even if Iannetta blows out an ACL in Spring Training, you HAVE to have a Plan B.

Signing Torrealba to a 2 year contract worth about 3-4 million per year hardly ensures that Iannetta rides the bench (we aren't talking about a Jason Kendal style 6 year $60 million dollar contract here). You give Iannetta a chance at winning the job......however, he has to earn it.

I agree that clubs need to trust their young players.....but that doesn't ensure success. Look at the Rockies. How long did they trust Clint Barmes? What if Iannetta proves his bat is too slow for the majors and proceeds to hit .200 next season?

I'm not saying he will.....but not all young players work out. You've gotta have a backup plan. And with no quality catching prospects in the upper levels ready to take over in case Iannetta fails, resigning Torrealba to split time with him makes the most sense and frankly, would be good business.

You have FAR more options when it comes to 2B. I'd sooner spend the money on Torrealba when you have guys like Barmes, Quintanilla, Wimberly, Hererra and Nix in AAA/AA that could be given the chance to produce at 2B next season.

You HAVE to resign Torrealba because other than Alvin Colina, there's nothing in the system until you get to borderlilne prospects like Neil Wilson and Michael McKenry in A-Ball

BigRapidsJackass · July 30th, 2007, 10:12 PM

SG, Barmes was NEVER considered a strong prospect. He was always about a "C" grade prospect.

And you're asking the wrong question when you say "who else, Alvin Colina?"

The right question is, "Who else, Miguel Ojeda? Miguel Olivo?" In other words, the endless supply of freely available catching talent which is, on average, worse than Torrealba, but not much worse than a typical (not this year) Torrealba season.

Rankal · July 31st, 2007, 12:56 AM

For what it's worth, apparently Barmes is having a good time down in AAA ball, and the Rockies are considering 1) Trading Kaz Matsui and having Barmes fill his role, or 2) Let Kaz Matsui go after the season and have Barmes fill his role.

So, looks like Barmes is back next year. Yaaay...

Roxpert · July 31st, 2007, 06:52 AM

Frankly, it wouldn't bother me one bit if we get rid of Matsui now or let him walk after this season. He has "aged" as the season has progressed, and is really the "Bad Kaz" that Met fans grew to know and loathe. He has hit .219/.260/.274 in July, and his defensive range seems to have diminished. He's on the wrong side of 30 with a creaky back. I HOPE he isn't our second-baseman next year.

As for Barmes, I hope HE isn't our second-baseman either. At best, he seems like a fall-back plan for next year, but rumors recently were that the Tigers had an interest in trading for Barmes since Jim Leyland feels he could do for the Tigers what Craig Counsell did for his '97 Marlins. We may find out today if that's true.

BigRapidsJackass · July 31st, 2007, 09:53 AM

I think Barmes is more likely to do for Jim Leyland what Neifi Perez did earlier this year.

Dante Bichette · July 31st, 2007, 11:56 AM

I have to give credit to Torrealba for stepping it up. He has done better than I thought he could. Ianetta needs to go to AAA where he can play everyday. It is clear that Torealba is better now, but Ianetta needs to develop and play, not rot on the bench like he is here.

As for Barmes, eeehhh. Forgive me for not getting to excited. Same with Matsui. I hope the Rocks either spend some money on a 2B in the offseason (not sure who is available) or make the position the main target in a trade with someone like Fuentes.

Rankal · August 1st, 2007, 02:24 AM

Is Nix ready yet?

RockieRooter · August 1st, 2007, 05:29 AM

Nix is showing some sparks, which is better than before, but he's followed a good June with a bad July. If he can bounce back from that it'd be a good sign and I'd be interested in seeing him when rosters expand in Sept.

July 30th, 2007, 09:42 PM	#31 (permalink)
sg8335aa Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 118	And I agree....and giving Torrealba a reasonable 2 year contract is hardly "giving up" on Iannetta. Torrealba might become a pricy backup....but he'd hardly be overpaid. I think of it more as "hedging your bet". While you're committed to Iannetta being the future of the franchise.....its also bad business to push all your chips in his corner without a backup plan and say "you're our guy" without any proven track-record at the MLB level. Especially with the reports from scouts that differ on just how good Iannetta would be offensively in the majors with the questions about his slow bat speed. You HAVE to have a Plan B. Hell, even if Iannetta blows out an ACL in Spring Training, you HAVE to have a Plan B. Signing Torrealba to a 2 year contract worth about 3-4 million per year hardly ensures that Iannetta rides the bench (we aren't talking about a Jason Kendal style 6 year $60 million dollar contract here). You give Iannetta a chance at winning the job......however, he has to earn it. I agree that clubs need to trust their young players.....but that doesn't ensure success. Look at the Rockies. How long did they trust Clint Barmes? What if Iannetta proves his bat is too slow for the majors and proceeds to hit .200 next season? I'm not saying he will.....but not all young players work out. You've gotta have a backup plan. And with no quality catching prospects in the upper levels ready to take over in case Iannetta fails, resigning Torrealba to split time with him makes the most sense and frankly, would be good business. You have FAR more options when it comes to 2B. I'd sooner spend the money on Torrealba when you have guys like Barmes, Quintanilla, Wimberly, Hererra and Nix in AAA/AA that could be given the chance to produce at 2B next season. You HAVE to resign Torrealba because other than Alvin Colina, there's nothing in the system until you get to borderlilne prospects like Neil Wilson and Michael McKenry in A-Ball

July 30th, 2007, 10:12 PM	#32 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,175	SG, Barmes was NEVER considered a strong prospect. He was always about a "C" grade prospect. And you're asking the wrong question when you say "who else, Alvin Colina?" The right question is, "Who else, Miguel Ojeda? Miguel Olivo?" In other words, the endless supply of freely available catching talent which is, on average, worse than Torrealba, but not much worse than a typical (not this year) Torrealba season.

July 31st, 2007, 12:56 AM	#33 (permalink)
Rankal Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 84	For what it's worth, apparently Barmes is having a good time down in AAA ball, and the Rockies are considering 1) Trading Kaz Matsui and having Barmes fill his role, or 2) Let Kaz Matsui go after the season and have Barmes fill his role. So, looks like Barmes is back next year. Yaaay...

July 31st, 2007, 06:52 AM	#34 (permalink)
Roxpert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 1,082	Frankly, it wouldn't bother me one bit if we get rid of Matsui now or let him walk after this season. He has "aged" as the season has progressed, and is really the "Bad Kaz" that Met fans grew to know and loathe. He has hit .219/.260/.274 in July, and his defensive range seems to have diminished. He's on the wrong side of 30 with a creaky back. I HOPE he isn't our second-baseman next year. As for Barmes, I hope HE isn't our second-baseman either. At best, he seems like a fall-back plan for next year, but rumors recently were that the Tigers had an interest in trading for Barmes since Jim Leyland feels he could do for the Tigers what Craig Counsell did for his '97 Marlins. We may find out today if that's true.

July 31st, 2007, 09:53 AM	#35 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,175	I think Barmes is more likely to do for Jim Leyland what Neifi Perez did earlier this year.

July 31st, 2007, 11:56 AM	#36 (permalink)
Dante Bichette Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 272	I have to give credit to Torrealba for stepping it up. He has done better than I thought he could. Ianetta needs to go to AAA where he can play everyday. It is clear that Torealba is better now, but Ianetta needs to develop and play, not rot on the bench like he is here. As for Barmes, eeehhh. Forgive me for not getting to excited. Same with Matsui. I hope the Rocks either spend some money on a 2B in the offseason (not sure who is available) or make the position the main target in a trade with someone like Fuentes.

August 1st, 2007, 02:24 AM	#37 (permalink)
Rankal Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 84	Is Nix ready yet?

August 1st, 2007, 05:29 AM	#38 (permalink)
RockieRooter Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 62	Nix is showing some sparks, which is better than before, but he's followed a good June with a bad July. If he can bounce back from that it'd be a good sign and I'd be interested in seeing him when rosters expand in Sept.